Solutions for Life’s Unexpected Changes©
THE CAREGIVING TRAP
Pamela D. Wilson, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
OVERVIEW
Understand the “bigger picture” of the short- and long-term
effects of the role of caregiving
Acknowledge relational aspects of caregiving to gain a better
understanding of family challenges and dynamics that have
the potential to damage family relationships
Advocate for beneficial care by understanding health care
industry and health insurance company constraints that
often surprise families when they realize that health
insurance or Medicare “does not pay”
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
STICKER SHOCK – WHO REALLY PAYS?
Effects of caregiving on health, in the
workplace, and in retirement
Chronic disease is prevalent
Poor health is expensive
Challenges for employee caregivers
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
STICKER SHOCK – WHO REALLY PAYS?
Risks of caregiving for women
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
STICKER SHOCK – WHO REALLY PAYS?
Costs of care
In home care
Retirement and communities of care
Rehabilitation and skilled nursing
Care navigation
How will you pay?
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
STICKER SHOCK – WHO REALLY PAYS?
Literacy and health
50% of U.S. adults are unable to read
a book written at the eighth-grade
level
46% of American adults can’t
understand the labels on their
prescription drugs
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
STICKER SHOCK – WHO REALLY PAYS?
Exercise: Time Off
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CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Common caregiving traps
There is nothing either good or bad,
but thinking makes it so. (William
Shakespeare)
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Oblivion and assumptions
Perceived “competence”
Failure to notice the little things
Refusal to ask for help
Lack of practical discussions
Lack of planning
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
TOXIC CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
The helpless or avoidant
The self-centered or narcissistic
The unmotivated
The paranoid
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Setting boundaries
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Exercise: Identifying Caregiving Traps
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
ADVOCATING FOR BETTER THAN AVERAGE
The Affordable Care Act
Medical appointments and physician
relationships
Naiveté and potential exploitation
Managing the “low road enterprise”
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
ADVOCATING FOR BETTER THAN AVERAGE
Exercise: Learning to Advocate
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
SUMMARY
The role of caregiving poses unexpected
costs to the caregiver
Caregiver and care-recipient
relationships are imperfect
Advocacy is mandatory if you wish to
receive “better than average” care
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved
PAMELA D. WILSON, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG
http://www.TheCareNavigator.com
http://www.PamelaDWilson.com
303-205-7877
[email protected]
© Pamela D. Wilson, All Rights Reserved